'antipodic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'antipodēs' (ἀντίποδες), where 'anti-' meant 'opposite' and 'pous/ pod-' meant 'foot'.

'antipodēs' passed into Late Latin and Medieval Latin as 'antipodes' and entered English (as 'antipodes'/'antipodal') in the 16th century; the adjective 'antipodic' developed from these forms to mean 'relating to the antipodes.'

Initially, it meant 'opposite the feet' (i.e., the region on the Earth's surface opposite another); over time it broadened to mean 'diametrically opposite' or 'completely opposite in character' in general contexts.